Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Toyota Camry owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked while accelerating from a complete stop. Additionally, the vehicle intermittently failed to start, with the ABS warning light displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for repairs, but the failure reoccurred shortly after the repair. The contact stated that while attempting to shift into drive(D), the transmission remained stuck in neutral(N) with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled forward while the vehicle was parked, turned off, with the parking brake engaged. The contact placed trash bins in front of the vehicle to prevent the vehicle from rolling. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure, and the vehicle remained unrepaired. The failure mileage was 127,990.
I bought my car in October 2009. I did not discover until years later that the pistons for the 2009 Toyota Camry Le did not fit correctly. This caused oil consumption problems, but it did not start happening until a 3-year warranty and at about 60-70 thousand miles. I did not get a notice of recall notice of Toyota's resolution to the problem, because they had the wrong apartment number and email address which I was told by Rep. Sherry and Rose at Toyota Corporation. Rep. said she was sending information to higher up at the corporation instead she sending it to the dealership. I did not get notice of a class action suit/resolution, trotter body, or melting dashboard. I have paid at least $6-7 thousand to dealerships workmanship is bad. I need help!! Because I did not get notices Toyota should fix and compensate me for repairs. …
I have a 2009 Toyota Camry se with 53,000 miles on it. There was a noise coming from the engine during driving . Upon inspection I found out that there was no coolant in the reservoir. I also found that there was pink powder residue on the engine near the serpentine belt where the water pump is located . Did some research on the internet and found out many other people with the cars built from 2007-2009 camrys had the same issue under warranty. Some cars had 10,000 miles or less with the problem. Also found out Toyota replaced the water pumps on these camrys with a waterpump built from a different company. I filled the reservoir with coolant and took it to Toyota and they said indeed the water pump was leaking. They would not cover the costs under warranty since it had expired. There would be no coolant leaking under the car. …
On December 3, 2017, my husband was parking our 2009 Camry on a city street when we experienced the terrifying unintended acceleration problem that has plagued this model ' and was supposed to have been fixed by the floor mat and accelerator pedal recalls. As my husband shifted into drive to move slightly forward in the parking space, there was a low roaring, racing motor-type sound from the gear box/transmission area and the car suddenly accelerated. Braking could not stop the car and it drove into the car ahead of us. Because we were moving at low speed there was no significant damage to either car. But there was permanent damage to our trust in the safety and reliability of our 2009 Camry, which we vowed never to drive again. Our occasional prior experiences with the car's racing motor problems had never caused us to lose control. …
While driving, on braking, the vehicle started making a grinding/rubbing noise appearing to come from the front passenger side of the vehicle. The noise seemed as if the vehicle engine/motor was going to seize up or something would break inside. Slowly took it to a local tire kingdom repair shop who would not do anything once they started the vehicle and were alarmed by the engine noise. Advised to take it to an engine repair shop. Slowly, cautiously drove home and parked. On starting the vehicle in the garage, next day, the engine seems to run fine on parked and neutral. On shifting to drive or reverse the rubbing/grinding noise begins again. Have been restrained to sitting at home instead of doing my ride sharing and delivery work. Recently had the timing chain and cam shaft gear replaced.
I own a 2009 Toyota Camry hybrid. There was no indication prior to this accident to any problem with my vehicle. On the day of accident, I was about to pull into a parking space at a local hospital parking lot. Half-way into the parking space, with my foot on the brake, the car unexpectedly accelerated on it's own. The car jumped a 6" curb and 9' island causing vehicle damage. All the while my foot was on the brake. The incident was reported to Toyota and the they had an engineer inspect the vehicle. Their conclusion was there was no problem with the brakes. The problem was (is) unexplained acceleration - not the brakes. I believe Toyota doesn't want to acknowledge there is an acceleration problem with my 2009 Toyota Camry hybrid.
Tl contact owns a 2009 Toyota Camry. The contact parked the vehicle in the residence garage. The engine remained running with the gear shifter placed in the park position. Immediately after the driver exit the vehicle, there was an unintended surge of acceleration. The vehicle crashed into the trash cans and garden cart that were in the garage. The vehicle engine was turned off. There were minor damages to the front bumper and front driver side door. The vehicle was taken to a collision center for the body damage estimate. The vehicle has not been repaired at this time. The failure mileage was 9,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota Camry. After starting the engine and shifting into the drive gear, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and surged forward. After depressing the brake pedal and stopping, the vehicle would no longer drive forward or in reverse. After the incident, the check engine indicator remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.
Bought 09 Camry new. In 2015, @ 130,000 miles, the "low oil" warning light came on. Took it to the dealer to do the oil consumption test, (they overfilled the engine with oil). When came back in 1200 miles was told the car is burning oil but not enough for Toyota to cover the repair (since they overfilled the engine with oil) the car continued to consume more oil. Now at 170,000 miles, the car burns around 2 qrts of oil every 1000. Very disappointing.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that when the ignition was turned to the on position, the vehicle failed to shift out of the park position without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,500. Updated 6/25/15 the stop light switch was replaced. Updated 01/27/16.
Transmission complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2009 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2009 Toyota Camry, 4% of the model year's 1,293 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Toyota Camry transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2009 Toyota Camry, though it has 10 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Toyota Camry transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 27,000 miles, and 48% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.